Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Training among Lecturers in the South-South Zone in Nigeria by the Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC)

In order to bridge the digital gap and to facilitate the use of ICT in teaching and learning among lecturers and students in Nigeria universities, the Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC) organized a workshop to train lecturers in the use of ICT skill and knowledge. It was expected that 12,000 lecturers from various universities will be trained. It was discovered that the idea was welcomed since most of them find if difficult to integrate ICT in their academic work. As a result of this, the study seek to find out the success achieved among participants and their perception toward the programme. DOI: 10.4018/jicte.2010091105 IGI PUBLISHING This paper appears in the publication, International Journal of Information and Communication Technology Education, Volume 6, Issue 1 edited by Lawrence A. Tomei © 2010, IGI Global 701 E. Chocolate Avenue, Hershey PA 17033-1240, USA Tel: 717/533-8845; Fax 717/533-8661; URL-http://www.igi-global.com ITJ 5569 56 International Journal of Information and Communication Technology Education, 6(1), 55-66, January-March 2010 Copyright © 2010, IGI Global. Copying or distributing in print or electronic forms without written permission of IGI Global is prohibited. center in the South-South zone in Nigeria, between 14 and 18 April, 2008. The NCC, in a bid to ensure the application of ICT in Nigeria higher institutions, organized this workshop for lectures. According to Okiy and Tiemo (2007) the workshop is meant for lectures in higher institution with a view to equipping them with knowledge and skills of ICT which would facilitate the research and teaching in their various respective institutions. Ojeme (2007) quoting the Dean of the Faculty of Art University of Lagos Prof. Ayodeji Olukoju “that ICT had improve research and development in institution of higher learning and other agencies, that this ICT has eased the computerization of results and allowed for networking and accessibility of the internet. ICT has assisted in teleconferencing, reduced traveling and ensured safety and faster dissemination of information. A survey conducted by Olugbile (2006) revealed that many lecturers in Nigerian universities lack computer knowledge and that there is a high level of ICT literacy among the new breed of lecturers than old professor teaching in the nations various institutions. Various reasons such as lack of funds, inadequate ICT facilities, and lack of training programme was responsible for this trend. As a result of this the NNC organized this workshop for Nigeria institution to be given a good rating internally. Under the programme which is sponsored by NCC about 12,000 lecturers in Nigeria institutions will be trained in the next five years to expose them on a new methodologies of courses delivery so as to improve on their quality of products and reposition them for the current challenges of globalization. Nwankwo (2006) quoting the Chief Executive Officer of DBI, that a report from the Federal Ministry of Education in Nigeria states that there are only 3,451 skilled ICT staff against 8,350 required in the next five years. This he said represented a human resources compliant deficit of 4,899 and if this problem is not properly addressed, could compound the global marginalization of Nigeria in the emerging digital economy. This research will attempt to find out the success recorded among participant and their perception toward the programme. It also intends to find out whether the programe is meeting up to expectation. specific purpose of the study The study seek to address the following: To find out the participant perception • about the programme. To determine the level of ICT knowl• edge and skills before and after the programme. To know the various ICT packages par• ticipants were exposed to. To pin point the constraint encountered • by participant during the programme.